Seven out of 10 Filipinos support requiring black octagonal warning labels on prepackaged food and beverage products high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats, according to a nationwide survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The First Quarter 2026 SWS survey showed strong public support for front-of-pack warning labels, with respondents saying the labels could help them make healthier food choices amid increasing concerns over obesity, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases.
The March 2026 survey, conducted among 1,500 respondents nationwide, tested how different labeling systems affected consumers’ perception of a mock fortified powdered milk drink.
Before any warning label was shown, 48% of respondents considered the product healthy, while 45% were undecided.
Other labeling systems had little impact on consumer perception. Under traffic light labels, 50% still viewed the product as healthy, while 53% maintained the same perception when shown health star ratings.
However, the addition of black octagonal warning labels significantly changed how respondents viewed the product. Only 28% continued to consider it healthy, while 38% said it was no longer healthy and 32% remained undecided.
SWS said black octagonal warning labels performed better than other front-of-pack labeling systems in helping consumers identify possible health risks.
Support for the warning labels was highest among respondents from Balance Luzon, rural communities, Class E households, women, adults aged 25 to 44 years old, and college graduates.
The survey also found that 75% of Filipinos believe warning labels would help them choose healthier food products, while 58% said seeing such labels increased their concern about their children’s health.
Healthy Philippines Alliance Lead Convenor and former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan said the survey results reinforce the need to adopt front-of-pack warning labels as a tool for consumer protection.
Registered nutritionist-dietitian Jennina Duatin, a member of the Diabetes Philippines Board of Trustees, said the labels could help consumers identify products high in unhealthy nutrients and protect them from misleading marketing.
Following the survey results, the Healthy Philippines Alliance renewed its call for the passage of House Bill No. 8284, or the Healthy Food Marketing and Labelling Act of 2026.
The proposed measure seeks to require black warning labels on food and beverage products that exceed nutrient limits under the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model.
The bill also seeks to restrict the marketing of these products to children as part of efforts to address rising diet-related health concerns.
Photo courtesy of GourmetPro
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